Have you considered planting a dog-safe garden?

With summer in full swing, many dog owners are spending hours on evenings and weekends working in their gardens or weeding their flower beds. Have you ever wondered if some of to dogs too!

Some pet owners opt to just fence off their gardens from their pets. This can save a lot of hassle if you have a dog that digs or eats your plants, but it’s not guaranteed to prevent him from having a snack. The only way to keep Fido 100% safe is to steer clear of plants that are harmful to dogs.

Video: Is it Safe to Grow Food Around Cats and Dogs? & More Garden Q&A

NeoMam Studios sent me a great infographic recently that I think all pet owners need to see. Not only should you read it, but you should print it out and keep it in your gardening shed or garage- wherever you put your gardening supplies.

Video: In the Garden: Pet Friendly Plants

Some of the most common plants can be toxic to pets, including:

• Aloe vera
• Amaryllis
• Azalea/Rhodedendron
• Begonia
• Daffodil
• Ivy
• Morning glory
• Tomato plants
• Tulip

Poisonous plants can cause minor reactions like gastrointestinal discomfort and nausea, and sadly they can also be toxic and lead to death if not treated quickly enough. It’s extremely important that you do some research on every plant you bring into your home – and that includes decorative flowers.

We had a scary experience last year when my daffodils started coming up. I didn’t realize they were poisonous to dogs, and our Boxer ate the flower off every daffodil in my flower bed. Thankfully, I was outside with her and noticed what she was doing. When she started acting sluggish shortly after I immediately called the vet.

We induced vomiting with peroxide and thankfully, after a good night’s sleep, Chloe made a full recovery.

If you have any suspicions that your dog has eaten a plant that may make him ill, call your veterinarian or your local emergency vet clinic immediately. If the reaction is mild, you may have time to bring your dog into the clinic. However, if the plant is toxic, you may need to take action immediately, and your veterinarian will be able walk you through what to do.

Video: Seattle, Washington's Dog Friendly Rose Garden - City Guide

Not only do you need to be selective with the plants that you have around your home, there are many other simple ways to doggy-proof your garden. The infographic below was created for HomeAdvisor and it not only shows tips on garden safety, but also about summer safety for your entire yard. It’s a great resource for all dog owners!

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